Don’t be like Goldilocks. When you want to find the sump pump that’s just right without trial and error, contact Stellar Plumbing!
Elk Grove Village has 36 inches of rainfall alongside 36 inches of snowfall annually, the latter being 8 inches more than the U.S. average. High precipitation places the city at minor flood risk, especially residential and commercial estates at low elevations. Wherever you reside in the area, you shouldn’t be asking whether you need a sump pump but, “What size sump pump do I need?”
Elk Grove Village’s plumbing experts at Stellar Plumbing are more than fully licensed, insured, and experienced. We are a family and your neighbors, so you can trust our honesty, dependability, and quality. Below, we’ll break down what factors can help you uncover the proper sump pump size selection for your home.
Why Is Finding the Right Sump Pump Size Important?
Like heating and cooling units, finding the right pump size is crucial not only for your home’s comfort but also for your unit’s safety. While a larger sump pump drains water out of your basement faster, which may sound good, it causes your unit to short cycle. Running shorter cycles causes the system to degrade quickly, just as overworking a smaller unit would.
Creating a decent flow rate depends on the following factors.
Finding Out Flow Rate
When determining sump pump size, consider flow rate. If you have sandy soil beneath your home, your sump pump system should be able to drain 14 gallons of water per minute for every 1,000 square feet of home. However, houses with clay soil drain more slowly at eight gallons per minute for every 1,000 square feet.
To know exactly how many gallons need draining per minute, turn off a sump pump for one minute on a rainy day and measure how much more water has entered your system. If you have an 18-inch pit, each inch represents a gallon, so multiply the number of inches by 60 to find the gallons-per-hour rate.
Multiply that by a 1.5 margin of error, and if you receive more than 1,800 gallons per hour, you should consider installing a larger pit and sump pump to hold more water. A professional will help you answer, “What size sump pump do I need?”
Vertical and Horizontal Piping
After calculating the sump pump capacity, figure out the height and distance the water has to travel through the discharge pipe to determine how much horsepower you need. If you already have a system in place, use a measuring tape to find the length of the vertical lift, which is the vertical distance the water travels through the discharge pipe. On average, this is 7 to 10 feet.
Also, measure the horizontal pipe, which is usually three to 25 feet long. This pipe transfers basement water to the vertical pipe via a 90-degree elbow, which is a fitting that connects the two. The longer the distance of the piping, the lower the gallons-per-hour ratio and the higher the horsepower, so consider that when choosing the right sump pump.
Sump Pump Horsepower
Knowing more about horsepower will help you determine, “What size sump pump do I need?” An area with an average water table requires a sump pump with 1/3 horsepower. This is the typical pump horsepower, which is compatible with a standard vertical lift, horizontal pipe, and elbow.
However, your sump pump will need a higher 1/2 horsepower if your water table is above average. That means your sump pump would be larger than the traditional 1/3 horsepower, so it can hold between 35% and 40% more water. It can also handle a higher vertical lift, but if you need even more water removal, consider a 3/4 HP.
A 3/4 HP has up to 25% more pumping capacity than 1/3 HP and a 20- to 30-foot vertical lift. It also has a horizontal pipe between 150 and 250 feet. These larger pumps are best for low-lying areas on flood plains, deep basements, and outdoor use.
Call for Stellar Services!
Selecting the correct sump pump capacity can be a daunting task. After all, you don’t want your sump pump backfiring, allowing your home to flood. When sizing a sump pump for your needs, count on us.
At Stellar Plumbing, our family-owned and -operated team guarantees 100% customer satisfaction and 24/7 support for residents in Elk Grove Village. Whether you want to know how to find a good plumber, answer the question, “What size sump pump do I need?” or need septic system care, call 847-994-4510!
